Tag Archives: Othello

Rossini’s Otello from Opera By Request

Last night I watched a concert presentation of Rossini’s Otello from Opera By Request, a company who demonstrate their importance with every outing.   Bill Shookhoff leads from the piano working without a conductor, seated upstage of performers who face the … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Red Velvet history lesson

I feel the need to frame my testimony, reviewing Lolita Chakrabarti’s play Red Velvet at Crow’s Theatre, in the admission that Ira Aldridge, the first black man to portray Othello onstage in London, is almost completely unknown largely because of … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Adès contra Parsifal

Ever notice that conversations can reinforce and honour contrary positions? When you sit down with someone over latkes, beers or (name your pleasure), the celebration and enactment of community & indeed, communion, makes the points where you diverge immaterial. You … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments